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The nine strategies are the core of the Wales Without Violence Framework, spanning from early years to early adulthood and include prevention activity which can support individuals, whole communities, and even effect systemic change. You can read more about each strategy by clicking the headings below, and the theory of change illustrates the key outcomes and impacts expected if each strategy is implemented effectively
Providing a safe, secure and stable home environment lessens the risk of experiencing violence during childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.
This strategy focuses on supporting parents and caregivers so they can do just that. It’s about helping families and children build and sustain positive relationships – whilst also making sure children have a quality early years and pre-school education.
This could include programmes that:
‘Positive family environments will give children and young people ‘a safe space to talk and communicate’.
Secure employment, and the high self-esteem and good mental health that come along with it, can lessen the risk of becoming involved in violence.
The focus of this strategy is to ensure older children and young people can attain relevant, meaningful training and employment opportunities. They experience severe inequalities when it comes to accessing these opportunities, with inequalities increasing even more among certain groups.
Programmes could include:
‘I would feel empowered to achieve my potential.’
When things go wrong, children and young people must be listened to, believed and helped.
This strategy focuses on trauma-informed approaches to encourage children and young people who have experienced – or are concerned about – violence to access safe, appropriate and timely support.
Programmes could include:
‘Better mental health services would help the root cause of people needing to be violent.’
Children and young people’s risk of becoming involved in violence can be buffered through strong connections with caring adults (outside of parents and caregivers). Doing activities that encourage their skill development, creativity, learning and growth can also help.
This strategy focuses on providing consistent connections with an adult role model to help children and young people learn how to have healthy relationships, challenge harmful behaviours or beliefs, and take part in activities they’re interested in.
Programmes could include:
‘Our lives would be more enjoyable.’
Too often, children and young people do not feel safe in their communities.
Creating protective environments that allow children and young people to thrive and develop is an important strategy in promoting their physical and psychological safety, and their health and wellbeing. It can also help to end violence.
‘Communities’ can include physical places such as schools, towns and nightlife areas, as well as online spaces such as social media platforms.
Activities may include:
‘I would leave the house more often.’
Education settings play a crucial role in violence prevention. These are places where children and young people learn societal norms, develop a sense of belonging and acquire knowledge, skills and experience.
Educational engagement is also an important protective factor in preventing violence in childhood, adolescence and throughout the rest of their lives.
Programmes could include:
‘We would have brighter futures which we are able to fulfil.’
Whilst violence can happen to anyone, its adverse impacts are felt most severely in communities with high levels of socio-economic deprivation. So reducing poverty and income inequality are fundamental building blocks in preventing violence and improving safety.
Policies and programmes can include:
All programmes should involve communities as leaders in planning, development and implementation, and provide opportunities to connect with cultural and community identities to foster a sense of belonging.
‘Safety is a middle class privilege.’
Whilst laws alone can’t reduce violence, effectively implementing and enforcing them strengthens all nine strategies to prevent violence among children and young people.
A robust legislative and policy framework lays the groundwork to prevent violence, addresses risk factors and legislates for employing a children’s rights approach. It can also provide a structure for protecting, effectively responding to and supporting victims, witnesses and children.
Examples include:
‘The political system needs to be changed to create a more equitable society.’
An individual’s values are influenced by their family, peer group, community and society.
Efforts to promote positive social norms and values – and to reduce the impact of harmful ones – are an essential tool for preventing violence.
This strategy focuses on strengthening social norms and values that support non-violent, respectful, nurturing, positive and gender-equitable relationships for all children and young people.
Programmes can include:
‘I would feel safe in my own skin.’
